Compton Elder Abuse Lawyer

We all assume that when we have to trust others to care for our eldest loved ones that they will receive the highest level of care. While we may want to remember a time when they were physically and mentally strong, the heartbreaking reality is that with age they may suddenly become dependent upon the care and compassion of others.

When the difficult decision has been made to place our seniors in a nursing home or other care facility, it can put a strain on the entire family. Knowing that they are loved and cared for makes it easier, but unfortunately, many do not have this outcome.

Nursing homes are required by law to provide a specific level of care to all of its patients. Failure to meet the needs of the patients is a form of abuse and should be immediately reported to law enforcement and the associated government agencies. Speaking to an attorney about the abuse is highly recommended.

In an effort to cut costs or increase profits, many nursing homes have been caught hiring people without the proper training or education in an effort to reduce employee costs. Many facilities have also been known to violate health and safety standards.

In fact, the California Attorney General’s office recently doubled the size of its elder abuse division after a study found that:

Only one nursing home in Los Angeles County was found to be in full compliance for health and safety standards.

Only eighteen homes were in compliance in the San Francisco area.

None of the nursing homes in the Santa Barbara area were in compliance with these regulations.

Four Categories Of Elder Abuse

Under state law, elder abuse is defined as any type of abuse occurring against someone who is 65 years old or older. This tragic type of abuse is categorized into four main types of abuse.

Physical Abuse
Physical abuse can include any action that willfully inflicts bodily harm. This may include, but is not limited to:

Discovery of an elder’s signature being forged for financial transactions or for the titles of his/her possessions

Sudden appearance of previously uninvolved relatives claiming their rights to an elder’s affairs and possessions

Unexplained and sudden transfer of assets to a family member or someone outside the family

The provision of services that are not necessary

An elder’s report of financial exploitation

Califonia nursing homes are required to provide the following to all of their residents:

A high standard of care for each resident that will allow them to live in a safe environment that encourages them to have the highest quality of life possible within their specific limitations

Provide services and activities that enhance quality of life and maintain a healthy psycho-social balance. Programs should be in place to adjust to the changing needs of each patient

A written care plan should be done on each patient so that all of their specific needs are met. This written plan should be followed daily and re-evaluated every couple of months to ensure health and happiness.

What To Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse in Compton, CA

If you suspect that your loved one has been abused or is currently being abused in a nursing home or other care provider, you must do the following:

Speak to your loved one as soon as possible and ask them to tell you in detail what is going on. Any information that you receive from them should be documented with a time and date. Remember, many elderly people suffer threats and/or intimidation at the hands of their abuser. If they deny abuse, yet you still see physical signs, you must act to protect their interests.

Photograph any evidence that has led you to believe there is abuse taking place. This includes bruising, bed sores, and dry and cracked lips, which are a sign of dehydration.

Contact law enforcement. You need to file a police report that abuse is taking place. Any type of abuse is illegal and a police report should be made to ensure that the authorities get involved.

Follow through with your police report by contacting government agencies that are in charge of elder abuse cases. The police will most likely provide you with the information on whom to contact.

Contact an attorney. Elder abuse is a very serious issue and your attorney can aggressively represent your loved one to ensure that the abuse is stopped, the criminals are held accountable, and compensation is issued.

At the Compton Law Offices of Brent A. Duque, we maintain a staff of a highly professional, knowledgeable, aggressive and successful elder abuse attorneys who represent injured people through our offices that stretch across Southern California. Time limitations apply to any injury claim you might have, so for purposes of investigating a possible case and possibly preserving evidence, it’s best for you to contact us immediately after an injury or case of neglect.

Contact our Los Angeles County Personal Injury Attorney at 1-877-241-9554 to learn more about your legal options. A free consultation is just a phone call away. You can even use our online contact form, and we’ll reply to you quickly.